The new Premier League season is just around the corner and as such budding Fantasy Premier League managers are assembling their squads for a shot at glory.
As always players are given an initial budget of £100 million to build their 15-man squads and there is always the need to balance the selection so that there is strength from defence all the way to attack. Goals are key in FPL and last year the vast majority of managers were rewarded for putting their faith in Manchester City’s new recruit Erling Haaland, who delivered 36 goals in his debut campaign.
That record-breaking year didn’t go unnoticed. How could it? This is why the Norway international is the most expensive asset in FPL for 2023-24, setting players back £14m. Trying to incorporate Haaland into your team, as well as build a strong midfield and defence, is going to be challenging on top of adding two solid options to your forward line.
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Only a handful of strikers in the Premier League can you truly rely on to score a sufficient amount of goals per season and they are always the most expensive. But each year provides a chance for managers to unearth low-costing gems or gamble on a striker they think can step up to the mark.
Here are some who fit that criteria who are worth taking a look at this year.
Taiwo Awoniyi - Nottingham Forest (£6.5m)
Before the arrival of Morgan Gibbs-White, for a brief period Taiwo Awoniyi was Nottingham Forest’s record signing last summer, joining from Union Berlin for £17.5m. The Nigerian forward enjoyed an impressive first year with the Tricky Trees, scoring 10 league goals, including the all-important goal that kept his side in the top flight while simultaneously crowning Manchester City as the champions. You can expect the striker to build off his first campaign with Forest and become an even bigger key player for Steve Cooper in season two.
Yoane Wissa - Brentford (£6m)
Yoane Wissa has found starting opportunities difficult to come by for Thomas Frank since his arrival two summers ago, largely due to the remarkable form of Ivan Toney. But since Toney is going to be out of action until January, Wissa has an opportunity to showcase his abilities more often. He was handed 16 starts last term and ended up with seven goals in the Premier League. With a consistent run of starts from the beginning of the season, the Frenchman could contribute double figures for the Bees.
Evan Ferguson - Brighton & Hove Albion (£6m)
One of the breakout stars in 2022-23 was Republic of Ireland teenager Evan Ferguson, who looks to be destined for the very top. In just 10 starts in the league last year, Ferguson notched six goals for the Seagulls to help them secure a place in the Europa League. Manager Roberto De Zerbi is likely to give the 18-year-old much more game time this time around and his eye for goal could see him reach double digits with ease.
Julian Alvarez - Manchester City (£6.5m)
Despite playing second fiddle to Haaland in Pep Guardiola’s side, World Cup winner Julian Alvarez still got plenty of minutes in the top flight and managed to end the campaign with nine goals. The Argentine is a very talented footballer and offers much more than just goals. He isn’t guaranteed many starts given Haaland’s tally last year but he has proven that he can have an impact from the bench.
Carlos Vinicius - Fulham (£5m)
With the likelihood of Aleksandar Mitrovic quitting Fulham this summer growing, there is a key position to be filled for the Cottagers. Raul Jimenez has already joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers but he hasn’t been the same player since his skull fracture in 2020.
Carlos Vinicius was on hand to score five goals in five starts for Marco Silva’s side in the league last term and he could soon have an opportunity to make himself the main man. To do that he needs to show he can score consistently, which might be feasible with a consistent run of games.
